THE WORD 4 ev 1

Today's reading is John 1 (click here for link)

This morning, John takes us to “the beginning,” so let’s follow John.

We are all familiar with “the beginning” of the beginning of Scripture-- Genesis 1—God created the heavens and the earth. But have you ever really taken a moment, especially at night, to stop and look up and consider everything above you? Think about it… the sheer vastness of it all, the endless amount of space above us. It is hopefully enough to knock our own self-centeredness down a peg or two.

Consider also, what Science teaches us about the Universe: Our Galaxy is said to contain some 400 billion stars. Our own star, the Sun, is actually rather puny according to galactic standards; nonetheless, even at 93 million miles away it has the power to burn our skin on a summer’s day! Thank goodness it isn’t 92 million miles away! But this is no accident. In fact, it is said that if one of the more gigantic stars in our Galaxy were positioned where our sun is, things would be way different. Well, actually… we wouldn’t even be here… the earth would be entirely engulfed within that star! It seems beyond belief that these giants are floating around out there somewhere in space, and yet, despite their size and brilliance, from our perspective here on earth, they are nothing more than a prick of light in the night sky. Incredible!

Science also tells us that beyond our own galaxy, there exists myriad other galaxies, each filled with billions of suns and stars. This sheer quantity of light being produced boggles the mind, and yet only one of these galaxies is visible to the naked eye here on earth—and it is more than two million light years away.

This is the very light that God spoke into the darkness at the foundations of time. From our perspective this light barely seems able to penetrate the darkness of space. Yet, it does. It always does.

Now, if you can’t tell, I love Astronomy. I love star gazing. But if you really want to see the stars, everyone knows you have to get away from the Houston lights. You have to get out in the middle of nowhere. But to do that isn’t so easy. The one time that I ever had a chance to really get away—completely away from all manmade light—was many years ago on a road trip with some college buddies of mine to the deserts just north of Rachel, Nevada (aka: Area 51). The night sky there is incredible. The vastness of it and silence of it all is mind numbing. There you are, looking up into eternity and there isn’t a single solitary sound to be heard. In fact it is the silence that is most impressive—it’s almost oppressive. No airplanes flying overhead; no street noises or barking dogs; no hum of the refrigerator or buzz of fluorescent lighting. There is only silence. You can literally hear your thoughts bouncing in your head. And even they eventually fade away, like little question marks ringing tiny and hollow in the face of eternity. You stand as though you are on the edge of the Universe and you can’t help but think of those first words ever uttered, words of power and purpose: “LET THERE BE LIGHT.” How deafening that must have sounded had any of us been there to hear it.

I tried speaking into the darkness that night, tried shouting. But my words were swallowed up by the darkness. Yet God’s Word not only penetrated the darkness, it created light!

When you think about such things it almost starts to seem absurd, even scandalous, that in all of the vast glory of the Universe, God chose to concentrate all his efforts on one little remote blue speck: that he chose this dirt ball to direct his powerful life-producing Word is simply amazing. In fact, it is very easy for our little and very limited vision to be overwhelmed by the hugeness of everything God’s Word has accomplished. Yes, that God would be so particular really does seem scandalous, and for many people it is simply foolishness. But the truth is… the real and bona fide truth of it all is… God has not just made the Universe and every amazing thing in it, like stars and galaxies and mountains and oceans, but he has made you, too. God has concentrated his amazing and wonderful attention on little you. He loves you. He has died for you. Next time you look up at the hugeness of the unknown before you don’t be overwhelmed by the darkness. His light will always shine through. Hallelujah, indeed!

Have a blessed day,
Pastor Aaron